Impact of mesoporous silica surface functionalization on human serum albumin interaction, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity

•Different SBA-15-type materials with amine, thiol and carboxylic surface were prepared.•Fluorescence measurements and CD studies revealed a strong interaction of silica particles with Human Serum albumin.•Irrespective to silica surface modification, corona particles are formed on the surface.•The enlargement of the pore diameter of carboxylic silica allows superior HSA adsorption and strong interaction.•Owing to exposed silanols, amorphous silica exhibits stronger antibacterial activity compared to SBA-15-type materials.

Aiming to broaden our understanding on the interplay of silica nanomaterials with living biocells, we designed herein various surface-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15-type silicates, including native one SBA-OH, aminated SBA-NH2, thiolated SBA-SH and carboxy-terminated SBA-COOH. These high-surface area materials are then subjected to interactions with human serum albumin (HSA), in order to reproduce the real picture of what occurs within the body upon delivering active drugs. First, we examined circular dichroism measurements, fluorescence quenching, HSA adsorption and hemolysis in the presence and absence of HSA. Subsequently, we studied the toxicity of these materials toward eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and the effect of the silica surface on the antibacterial activity. Irrespective to the functional groups, silica interacts with HSA resulting in the suppression of hemolysis. In terms of antibacterial activity, the pivotal parameter was found to be the amorphous state of the silica carrier rather than the nature of the functional groups. In the whole, this informative work provides an overall understanding of the role of the silica surface for bio-cells interaction and can serve as a guideline for the rational-design of blood-compatible nanomaterials.

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